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Friday, September 2, 2016

Four Confirmed As 2023 World Cup Bidders

World Rugby has confirmed that France, Ireland, Italy, and South Africa have alls submitted bids to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The deadline was September 1st and although some countries had flirted with the idea of hosting the tournament, including the U.S., the four countries listed were always seen as the favorites. Both France (2007) and South Africa (1995) have hosted the tournament previously. No matter which for the four countries the tournament ends up in it will see a return to a Tier I country after Japan hosts in 2019. Who hosts in 2027 is going to be much more interesting with the likes of the U.S. and Argentina possibly putting together bids.

Seven criteria are being used to judge a countries ability to host, including venue choices, commercial viability, financial stability, fan mobility, and "a vision that engages and inspires domestic and international audiences and contributes to the growth of rugby at all levels."

South Africa and Ireland seem like the early favorites but momentum could swing to Italy in order to help boost that country and take the tournament to a new location.